Edward David Eck

Edward David Eck was born in Anaconda, Montana, on September 13, 1925, to Theodore and Anna Nordquist Eck. Ed was the fourth of five children born into the family. Brothers Laurence, Hugo, and Herbert have preceded Edward in death. A sister, Betty Lou survives.

Ed grew up in Anaconda, attended local schools, and graduated from Anaconda High School in the Spring of 1943. Ed played tuba in the high school band, and also served as drum major. Ed's outdoor interests included skiing, hunting, and fishing. After graduation, with a pending fall Army induction date, Ed spent the summer of 1943 in Bremerton, Washington, working in the Naval shipyards as a carpenter/shipwright under the direction of his brother Hugo, who was a practicing naval architect at that time. While in the Seattle area, he took evening classes in air navigation at Pan American Airways, with hopes of becoming a navigator/bombardier in the Army Air Corps. Upon processing into the Army, his high aptitude test scores led the Army to approach him about becoming a pilot, which he immediately agreed to. Ed earned his wings in the military in early 1945, but never saw any action, as the war effort started to wind down after the Allied victory in Europe.

Ed returned home in late 1945, and went on to study architecture at Montana State University. After a couple of years studying architecture, he realized that he enjoyed the outdoor, hands-on type work that carpentry offered, and returned to Anaconda to join his father and brother Herb in the family business known as Theodore Eck and Sons. In 1947, Ed met his wife to be Elaine Ellis in Great Falls while training as a pilot for the Berlin Airlift. Elaine was also in Great Falls at the Deaconess Hospital completing her nurses training.

"I chased her till she caught me", he used to say...Ed and Elaine were married in December of 1950, and went on to settle in Anaconda. Sons Ted and Dave were born in 1953, and 1957. In 1960 Ed and Elaine went on to operate Theodore Eck and Sons as a solely owned entity. Ed built numerous homes and buildings in the area. Some of the notable buildings that Ed built throughout his career are P. J. Hagan Manor, St. Timothy's Chapel, and Hope Lutheran Church. Ed and Elaine retired from the construction business in the mid 1990s. Both Ed and Elaine traveled the world extensively. Ed enjoyed both outdoor sports and life sports. In addition to hunting and fishing, Ed's interests included flying small aircraft. He went on to earn his commercial pilot's license, along with instrument, and multi -engine ratings. He accrued over 1,800 flight hours. A snow skier for many years, Ed finally hung up his skis when he turned 80. He was an active member of the Masonic Lodge, The Shrine, and The Elks. Ed served on numerous corporate boards and civic committees over the years.

Ed is survived by his wife of 64 years Elaine, daughter-in-law Joann, son David and wife Patti.
He was preceded in death by his son Ted in 2008. He was grandfather to Heidi Rasmussen, and husband Lars, Carl and Justin Eck. Ed was great-grandfather to Aksel, Freja, and Iver Rasmussen.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, February 23, at Hope Lutheran Church in Anaconda at 11:00 a.m. A private burial will take place later this summer.

Contributions/Memorials can be made to Hope Lutheran Church, The Shriners, or to an organization of your choice.